Automated waste water recycling system using advanced electro-coagulation unit

ABSTRACT

An automated waste water treatment system includes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from the collection tank, an electrocoagulation unit that receives the waste water and outputs the waste water as coagulated waste water to a flow line, a polymer dosage tank to provide a polymer dosage into the flow line where the polymer dosage mixes with the coagulated waste water to produce and output flocculated waste water. A clarifier connected to the flow line receives the flocculated waste water and produces sludge-free waste water and concentrated sludge, a series of filters to output filter-treated water, and an ultrafiltration system that receives filter-treated water and outputs ultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U. S. provisional patent applicationNo. 62/736,265, filed on Sep. 25, 2018, and U. S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/799,657, filed on Jan. 31, 2019, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to waste watertreatment, more particularly, to an automated waste water recyclingsystem using advanced electro-coagulation unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “waste water” is commonly used to refer to any of the numerousaqueous streams containing pollutants and contaminants that arise inindustrial and other contexts. Such waste waters are also referred to aseffluent. Some of the engineering and process industries effluents(waste water) that can be treated in the method, device, systems andprocesses according to the invention include, but are not limited to,the following industries or commercial sectors: textile processing,dyeing, chemical, finishing, leather, pharmaceuticals, cement, diary,food processing, slaughter house, beverages, distilleries, papers, steelmanufacturing, electroplating, oil & gas, nuclear (uranium waste water),mining, coal, washing (textiles, machines, etc. ), semiconductor sector,abattoirs, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, granite & marble processing,and other industries using huge amount of water. Said term “waste water”is also used in the domestic and municipal context where different waterstreams arise such as, for example, drinking water supply, sewage, greywater, etc. The term is also used to refer seawater, brackish water, andsimilar water bodies or sources.

Wastewater treatment is a process used to convert influent wastewaterinto an effluent treated water (outflowing of water to a receiving bodyof water) that can be returned to the water cycle with minimal impact onthe environment or directly reused. The latter is called waterreclamation because treated wastewater can then be used for otherpurposes. The treatment process takes place in a wastewater treatmentplant (WWTP), often referred to as a Water Resource Recovery Facility(WRRF) or a Sewage/Effluent treatment plant. Pollutants in municipalwastewater (households and small industries) can be removed or brokendown to levels that allow the treated/reclaimed wastewater to be usedsafely for other purposes as needed.

A relative degree of success in purifying such waste waters can beachieved by passing bubbles of gases through a large tank containingindustrial wastewater, whereby rising gas bubbles, having a laminar flowthrough the tank, occlude or become attached to some of the particulatematter. Thus, treated particles tend to be less dense than water andaccordingly rise to near the surface of the liquid within the tank wherethey can be skimmed off. Oftentimes these processes are combined withvarious chemical treatments. Even so, such techniques have theirdrawbacks as they are prone to be time consuming, inconvenient, andrelatively inefficient while requiring large environmental footprints.Generally, methods and apparatus employing such techniques cannoteconomically treat wastewater as quickly and efficiently as it isgenerated in a large scale industrial process so as to satisfactorilyremove pollutants therein.

Electro-coagulation treatment devices are also referred to as electrocoagulators, electro coagulating reactors, EC reactors, ECRs,electrolysis and by several other expressions. Electro-coagulation isanalogous to chemical coagulation. Chemical coagulating materials areadded to the waste water to separate out suspended, colloidal andemulsified matter contained therein. Chemical coagulants, coagulants forshort, destabilize suspensions, colloids and emulsions by neutralizingtheir charges. The destabilized solid matter from the suspensions andcolloids agglomerates and precipitates out. In case of emulsions thecontaminant liquid coalesces and forms a separate fluid phase which isthe separated out.

If flocculants have also been added, or if the coagulants themselvesform flocculates, the said solid matter is trapped in the flocculationand rises to the water surface. It is then removed by skimming or otherknown separation means. Floatation agents are also sometimes used. Theresulting contaminant liquid phase formed when an emulsion isdestabilized is removed by decantation or other known separationprocesses.

Generally speaking, EC is more versatile than chemical coagulation inthe range of said waste water than can be handled, in the range ofreactions for contaminant removal that can be carried out therein and,in the extent, in the comprehensiveness of contaminant removal. Adisadvantage of the chemical method is that the un-reacted chemicalcoagulants themselves constitute contaminants and introduce secondarypollution. Also, remnants from the reactions involving the coagulantsand other additives also generate secondary pollution. They may alsocontain impurities that contaminate the waste water stream beingprocessed.

Thus, there remains a need for an automated waste water recycling systemfor treating and recycling waste water with improved efficiency withoutthe aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems described above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an automated waste water treatment system thatincludes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flowline connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from thecollection tank, an electrocoagulation unit connected to the first flowline to receive the waste water and to output the waste water ascoagulated waste water into a second flow line, a polymer dosage tank toprovide a polymer dosage into the second flow line wherein the polymerdosage mixes with the coagulated waste water to produce and outputflocculated waste water, a clarifier connected to the second flow lineto receive the flocculated waste water and to produce sludge-free wastewater and concentrated sludge, a filter feed tank to receive thesludge-free water from the clarifier, a filter press to produce treatedwater from the concentrated sludge, a pressure sand filter constructedto receive the sludge-free waste water and the treated water and outputsto a activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter (CIRF), and anultrafiltration system that receives CIRF-filtered water and outputsultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system. A first inletvalve regulates the waste water flowing into the electrocoagulationunit. The electrocoagulation unit includes a nonconductive outer shellhaving an interior space, a control unit electrically connected to theelectrocoagulation unit, an electrocoagulation feed line connected tothe first flow line. The electrocoagulation feed line includes aplurality of electrocoagulation feed pipes connected to a bottom surfaceof the nonconductive outer shell of the electrocoagulation unit to feedthe waste water received from the first flow line into a lower portionof the interior space of the electrocoagulation unit. Theelectrocoagulation unit further includes an air grid controlled by thecontrol unit and an electrode assembly placed substantially within thenonconductive outer shell, the electrode assembly including a pluralityof electrodes exposed to an upward flow of the waste water from thelower portion of the interior space, a plurality of holders to hold theplurality of electrodes, and an electrode lifting arrangement on a topedge of each of the plurality of electrodes. The plurality ofelectrocoagulation feed pipes are spaced with respect to each other toallow the waste water to enter the lower portion of the interior spaceof the electrocoagulation unit evenly, and the air grid purges wastematerial from the plurality of electrodes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide anelectrocoagulation unit for use in an automated waste water treatmentsystem, wherein the automated waste water treatment system includes acontrol unit, a collection tank that holds waste water, a first flowline connected to the collection tank and to the electrocoagulationunit, a clarifier, a polymer dosage tank, a filter feed tank, a pressuresand filter (PSF), an activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter(CIRF), an ultrafiltration (UF) system, and a reverse osmosis (RO)system, the electrocoagulation unit including a nonconductive outershell having an interior space, an electrocoagulation feed lineconnected to the first flow line, the electrocoagulation feed lineincluding a plurality of electrocoagulation feed pipes connected to abottom surface of the nonconductive outer shell to feed the waste waterreceived from the first flow line into a lower portion of the interiorspace, an air grid controlled by the control unit, and an electrodeassembly placed substantially within the nonconductive outer shell. Theelectrocoagulation unit is connected to the first flow line to receivethe waste water and to output the waste water as coagulated waste water.The electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrodes exposed to anupward flow of the waste water, a plurality of holders constructed tohold the plurality of electrodes, and an electrode lifting arrangementplaced on a top edge of each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein theplurality of electrodes comprises a plurality of anodes and a pluralityof cathodes. The air grid of the electrocoagulation unit purges wastematerial from the plurality of electrodes to extend the plurality ofelectrodes' working lifespan and to ensure that activeelectrocoagulation on the electrode assembly remains efficient.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pressuresand filter for filtering sludge-free waste water to producesand-filtered water for an automated waste water treatment system,wherein the automated waste water treatment system includes a controlunit, a collection tank that holds waste water, a first flow lineconnected to the collection tank and to an electrocoagulation unit, aclarifier, a polymer dosage tank, a filter feed tank, an activatedcarbon filter and/or iron removal filter (CIRF), an ultrafiltrationsystem, and a reverse osmosis (RO) system, the pressure sand filterincluding an external shell having an internal region constructed tohold sand of varying grain size, a receiving adapter constructed on anupper region of the external shell such that the receiving adapterconnects the third flow line to the pressure sand filter, a pressuresand filter-backwash pump located at a lower region of the externalshell to backwash sand filtered water from a lower internal region ofthe external shell to an upper internal region of the external shell topurge obstructive material from the pressure sand filter. The sand isbiased from a large grain size at the upper internal region of theexternal shell to a lower grain size towards the lower internal regionof the external shell.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) improvement of theefficiency of waste water treatment where the automated waste watertreatment system produces a 97% recovery of pure reusable water fromwaste water; (2) increase the convenience of maintaining the electrodesthrough the use of electrode holders constructed on a top edge of theelectrode where a hoist can remove the electrode from theelectrocoagulation unit for maintenance, repair, or replacement; (3)increased longevity of the electrodes used in the electrocoagulation ofwaste water through removal of solids trapped on the surface of theelectrodes by employing an air filter grid to physically agitate thesolids that adhere to the electrodes and an acid wash, the latterinvolving the charging of an acid solution, wherein the acid that isspent can be advantageously utilized, into the waste water to betreated—the ferrous chloride in the spent solution reacts to form thehydroxides (hydroxides being coagulating agents that coagulate/coalescecolloidal suspensions and emulsions) wherein the formation of hydroxidecommences in the collection tank and continues in the EC unit such thatthis automated system provides another novel utilization of aninconvenient waste product/stream whereby the utilization of theferrous/ferric chlorides reduces the requirement of the consumableelectrodes in the EC unit (yet another advantage of the automatedsystem) ; (4) increased efficiency of the electrodes used in theelectrocoagulation of the waste water where turbulence of waste waterinflows is minimized by equally spaced electrocoagulation feed pipesthat allow even and steady flow of waste water into theelectrocoagulation unit and an even and steady rise of the waste waterlevel thereof; (5) electrocoagulation reactions continue seamlessly fromthe collection tank, through the first flow line and in the device (orany other ECR that may be used) wherein the automated systemautomatically disposes/drains the spent acid and the associated sludgeafter the acid cleaning process; (6) a clarifier constructed to allowadditional recycling of sludge for further extraction of reusable waterfrom waste water inflows following electrocoagulation and flocculation;(7) improved longevity and efficiency of various filters, particularlythe pressure sand filter, via backwash of filtered water through thefilter; and (8) lowering the environmental footprint for an automaticwaste water treatment system.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, a fullerunderstanding of the invention can be obtained by the followingdrawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the followingdetailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of an automated waste water recyclingsystem comprising an electrocoagulation unit, a clarifier and, apressure sand filter and activated carbon filter and/or iron removalfilter according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the electrocoagulation unit ofthe automated waste water recycling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the electrocoagulation unit ofthe automated waste water recycling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view of the electrocoagulation unit ofthe automated waste water recycling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system view of the automated waste water recyclingsystem of FIG. 1 further comprising an ultrafiltration system and afirst reverse osmosis (RO) system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system view of the automated waste water recyclingsystem of FIG. 3 further comprising a second reverse osmosis (RO) systemand a third reverse osmosis (RO) system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the electrocoagulation unit ofthe automated waste water recycling system of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4connected to an acid wash; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates a process of treating waste water using theautomated waste water recycling system of FIG. 4 according to anembodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understoodthat this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting ofthe claimed invention.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

As mentioned, there remains a need for an automated waste waterrecycling system for treating and recycling waste water with improvedefficiency. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIGS. 1 through 6B, where similar reference characters denotecorresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there areshown preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of an automated waste water recyclingsystem comprising an electrocoagulation (EC) unit (102), a clarifier(120) and, a pressure sand filter (142) and activated carbon filterand/or iron removal filter (144) according to the embodiment herein. Theelectrocoagulation (EC) unit (102) is connected to a collection tank(104) through a first flow line (106) for receiving waste water.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-C, the electrocoagulation unit (102) includes anonconductive outer shell (1022) having an interior space and a top rim(103) (the nonconductive shell may further include a support framestructure (1026) for structural support), an electrocoagulation feedline (1023) connected to the first flow line (106), a plurality ofelectrocoagulation feed pipes (1024), an air grid (122), a first inletvalve (107) connecting the first flow line (106) to theelectrocoagulation feed line (1023), a partition wall (109) in theinterior space of the nonconductive outer shell (1022), a second flowline (118), a first outlet valve (116), and an electrode assembly (400).

The partition wall (109) is constructed in the interior space of thenonconductive outer shell (1022) such that the partition wall (109)divides the interior space of the nonconductive outer shell (1022) intoan electrode chamber (1401) and an outlet chamber (1402). The partitionwall (109) includes a top edge constructed at a height below the top rim(103) of the nonconductive outer shell (1022) and extends to a base ofthe nonconductive outer shell (1022). The electrode assembly (400),placed substantially within the electrode chamber (1401), includes aplurality of electrodes (402) that are vertically arranged in paralleland are closely spaced to each other with a small gap between the them(402) wherein the plurality of electrodes (402) span substantiallyacross from one end of the electrocoagulation unit (102) to an oppositeend of the electrocoagulation unit (102), a plurality of holders (406)that hold the plurality of electrodes (402) in place, and an electrodelifting arrangement (404) constructed on a top edge of each electrode.The electrode assembly (400) is placed substantially within theelectrode chamber (1401) by the electrode lifting arrangement (404), theelectrode lifting arrangement (404) having a first end and a second end,wherein the first end is placed atop the top edge of the partition wall(109) and the second end is placed atop of a holding rail (1092) thatprotrudes from a side of the electrode chamber (1401) that facesopposite to the partition wall (109). Since the partition wall (109)sits below the top rim (103) of the nonconductive outer shell (1022),coagulated waste water passively spills over the top edge of thepartition wall (109) from the electrode chamber (1401) to the outletchamber (1402).

In one embodiment, the nonconductive outer shell (1022) is made up ofpolypropylene material. In another embodiment, the plurality ofelectrodes (402) may include ferrous/iron/aluminium plates. The wastewater flows between the plurality of electrodes (402) from a bottom ofthe electrode assembly (400) to a top of the electrode assembly (400).The plurality of electrodes (402) includes a plurality of anodes and aplurality of cathodes and a plurality of holders (406) that tightlyholds the plurality of electrodes (402). As shown in FIG. 1, theautomated system comprises the first inlet valve (107) that is connectedto the first flow line (106) that feeds the waste water into theelectrocoagulation unit (102) and a control unit that is electricallyconnected to the electrocoagulation unit (102). The first inlet valve(107) may be a ball valve or butterfly valve controlled by solenoidvalve or any electronic valve or pneumatic actuator. The control unit isthyristor-based and may be connected to one or more central processingunits (CPU), one or more display units, memory storing one or moreprograms. The control unit is configured to activate anelectrocoagulation feed pump (108) to pump the waste water through thefirst flow line (106) from the collection tank (104) to theelectrocoagulation unit (102) at a first flow rate ranging from 0. 1m³/hour to 200 m³/hour. The control unit gradually increases the firstflow rate by increasing a speed of the electrocoagulation feed pump(108). Once the desired flow rate is reached, the speed of the feed pump(108) is maintained at the same speed during the electrocoagulationprocess. The electrocoagulation feed pump (108) is electricallyconnected to the control unit. The control unit automatically activatesa P^(H) sensor (110) to measure a P^(H) of the waste water when theelectrocoagulation feed pump (108) is activated. The P^(H) sensor (110)is placed in the first flow line (106). The control unit automaticallyactivates a first dosing pump (112) to pump acid or alkali from a P^(H)correction tank (114) to maintain the P^(H) of the waste water within athreshold range of 6 to 8. The control unit automatically activates thefirst dosing pump (112) when the measured P^(H) of the waste water isnot within the threshold range. The control unit is configured toprovide power to the plurality of electrodes (402) to coagulate thewaste water to remove contaminates when waste water flows from thebottom of the electrode assembly (400) to the top of the electrodeassembly (400) within the electrocoagulation unit (102). Theelectrocoagulation unit (102) includes a first outlet valve (116) thatoutputs the coagulated waste water to the clarifier (120) through asecond flow line (118). Alternatively, the control unit, which isthyristor-based, may be connected to a system-on-chip (SoC), one or moredisplay units, and memory storing one or more programs configured toperform the same functions listed above and any additional functionslisted below.

The electrocoagulation unit (102) includes an air grid (122) placedbelow the electrode assembly (400). The air grid (122) includes aninternal air inlet pipe line (1222) connected to an external air inletpipe line (1224) at connection points that lie about two air grid inletholes (1223) on opposite sides of the nonconductive outer shell (1022)(the connection points may lie within the internal space of thenonconductive outer shell (1022) or, preferably, the connection pointslie externally to the nonconductive outer shell (1022) ), and aplurality of air inlet holes (1226) constructed on the internal airinlet pipe line (1222) to permit air bubbles to be introduced into theelectrocoagulation unit, wherein the internal air inlet pipe line (1222)substantially traverses the lower portion of the interior space withinthe nonconductive outer shell (1022) such that the internal air inletpipe line (1222) lies underneath the electrode assembly (400) (hereinand hereinafter, the internal air inlet pipe line (1222) means one ormore internal air inlet pipe lines (1222) ). As shown in FIG. 2B, theexternal air inlet pipe line (1224) is located substantially outside ofthe nonconductive outer shell (1022). An air control valve (1228) isconstructed on the external air inlet pipe line (1224) to regulate inputof air into the external air inlet pipe which then regulates the airinput into the internal air inlet pipe line (1222) wherein the controlunit is further configured to control the air control valve (1228),

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, the air grid includes aplurality of internal air inlet pipe lines (1222) connected to theexternal air inlet pipe line (1224) at connection points that lie abouttwo sets of air grid inlet holes (1223) constructed on opposite sides ofthe nonconductive outer shell (1022) (the connection points may liewithin the internal space of the nonconductive outer shell (1022) or,preferably, the connection points lie externally to the nonconductiveouter shell (1022) ), and a plurality of air inlet holes (1226)constructed on each of the plurality of internal air inlet pipe lines(1224) to permit air bubbles to be introduced into theelectrocoagulation unit (102), wherein the plurality of internal airinlet pipe lines (1222) substantially traverse the lower portion of aninterior space within the nonconductive outer shell (1022) such that theplurality of internal air inlet pipe lines (1222) run underneath theelectrode assembly (400). The internal air inlet pipe lines (1222), ofwhich there is a plurality, can be substantially parallel with respectto each other, be straight and bisect each other, or be in any alignmentor arrangement with respect to each other that extends the longevity andmaintain efficiency of the electrode array. Preferably, the internal airinlet pipe lines (1222) are substantially parallel with respect to eachother. Although alternatively, the internal air inlet pipe lines (1222)of the air grid (122) are substantially orthogonal relative to theplurality of electrodes (402). An external air inlet pipe line (1224) islocated substantially outside of the nonconductive outer shell (1022),an air control valve (1228) constructed on the external air inlet pipeline (1224) regulates input of air into the external air inlet pipe(1224), and by extension regulates air input into the internal air inletpipe (1222), wherein the control unit is further configured to controlthe air control valve (1228)

The air grid (122) is automatically activated by the control unit atpredetermined intervals for providing air purging, air bubblesintroduced through the plurality of air inlet holes, to improveelectrocoagulation process while the waste water is electro-coagulatedinside the electrocoagulation unit (102). The automated system includesthe thyristor-based control unit that is electrically connected to theelectrocoagulation unit (102). The thyristor-based control unit controlsa first conductor and a second conductor that provides positive andnegative current to the plurality of anodes and the plurality ofcathodes respectively during an electrocoagulation process. In anembodiment, a DC power is connected to a plurality of end plates and/orcenter plates. The plurality of plates that needs to be connected to theDC power may be determined based on waste water TDS and otherparameters. The thyristor based control unit reverses the current thatis supplied to the first conductor and the second conductor by polarityreversal at a predetermined time interval to remove contaminants andmetallic oxides deposited on the plurality of electrodes (402) and evenconsumption of the plurality of electrodes (402) when the waste water iselectro-coagulated inside the electrocoagulation unit (102). Thepolarity reversal is performed to maximize productivity, minimizedowntime and reduce power consumption. The timing and frequency ofpolarity reversals can be predefined on the control system and thepolarity reversal function is automatically performed by the controlsystem with necessary electrical protective functions at the predefinedintervals. The automated system includes a polymer dosing pump (124)that is connected to a polymer dosing tank (126). The control unit isconfigured to activate the polymer dosing pump (124) to provide polymerdosage on the second flow line (118) when the first outlet valve (116)outputs the coagulated waste water from the electrocoagulation unit(102). The polymer dosage mixes with the coagulated waste water toobtain a flocculated waste water.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clarifier (120) receives the flocculated wastewater. The clarifier (120) settles down the solids of the flocculatedwaste water at the bottom to remove sludge and overflow sludge freewaste water to a filter feed tank (128). The clarifier (120) may beFloatation type Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Clarifier, sedimentationtype circular clarifier or Lamella Clarifier, HRSC Clarifier or SettlingTank etc. The clarifier (120) includes a plurality of moving fins thatare constructed to skim a surface of the flocculated waste water toremove sludge from the flocculated waste water to produce sludge-freewaste water. The clarifier (120) further includes a sludge outlet valve(130), a first solenoid valve (132) and a second solenoid valve (134)that are electrically controlled by the control unit. The control unitactivates a sludge feed pump (135) to pump concentrated sludge to afirst filter press (136) when the first solenoid valve (132) is in openposition and the second solenoid valve (134) is in closed position or toa second filter press (138) when the first solenoid valve (132) is inclosed position and the second solenoid valve (134) is in open position,for filtering water from the concentrated sludge. The clarifier (120)further includes a clarifier inlet valve (140) that is electricallycontrolled by the control unit. The control unit opens the clarifierinlet valve (140) to receive the flocculated waste water by gravity whenthe sludge outlet valve (130) is in closed position. The clarifier (120)further includes a clarifier outlet. The clarifier outlet outputs thesludge free waste water to a filter feed tank (128). The first filterpress (136) and the second filter press (138) recirculates waterfiltered from the concentrated sludge for further filter pressing andoutputs treated water to the filter feed tank (128).

The pressure sand filter (142) and the activated carbon filter and/oriron removal filter (CIRF) (144) receives the sludge free waste water.The pressure sand filter (142) and the activated carbon filter and/oriron removal filter (144) filters suspended solids and colloidal fromthe sludge free waste water and outputs (i) a carbon or IRF filteredwater to an ultrafiltration (UF) feed tank (202) and (ii) a backwashedwaste water to the collection tank (104). The pressure sand filter (142)includes a tank filled with layers of sand with the layers ordered bydecreasing grain size from an upper portion of the tank to a lowerportion of tank. The pressure sand filter (142) further includes thetank which includes an external shell having an internal regionconstructed to hold sand of varying grain size, a receiving adapterconstructed on an upper region of the external shell such that thereceiving adapter connects the third flow line to the pressure sandfilter, a pressure sand filter-backwash pump (1422) preferably locatedoutside of the pressure sand filter (142). The pressure sandfilter-backwash pump (1442) may be located outside at a lower region ofthe external shell to backwash sand filtered water from a lower internalregion of the external shell to an upper internal region of the externalshell to purge obstructive material from the pressure sand filter. Thepressure sand filter backwash pump (1422) is controlled by the controlunit, wherein the pressure sand filter backwash pump (1422), at auser-defined interval, pumps water that has been filtered through thepressure sand filter (142) back into the pressure sand filter. Thisbackwash loosens and helps clear solids that may be trapped in theintervening layers of sand, where these trapped solids reduce theeffectiveness of the pressure sand filter (142). Such a reduction canreduce the frequency in replacing the contents of the tank of thepressure sand filter (142). The automated system further includes afilter feed pump (146) that is connected to the filter feed tank (128).The control unit activates the filter feed pump (146) to pump the sludgefree waste water from the filter feed tank (128) to the pressure sandfilter (142) and the activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter(144) at a second flow rate. The control unit gradually increases thesecond flow rate over a period of time to increase a flow of the sludgefree waste water. The automated system includes an air blower (105) thatis electrically connected to the control unit. The control unitautomatically activates the air blower (105) to agitate the waste waterinside the collection tank (104) at first predefined intervals.

The automated system includes an electrocoagulation cleaning unit (148)that automatically cleans the electrocoagulation unit (102) atpredefined time intervals. The electrocoagulation cleaning unit (148) iselectrically connected to the control unit. The electrocoagulationcleaning unit includes a first drain valve (150) that is electricallycontrolled by the control unit. The control unit opens the first drainvalve (150) to drain the waste water that is remaining in theelectrocoagulation unit (102) to the collection tank (104) for cleaningwhen the first inlet valve(107) is in closed position. As shown in FIG.2 b, the electrocoagulation cleaning unit (148) includes a fresh waterinlet valve (152) that is electrically controlled by the control unit.The control unit opens the fresh water inlet valve (152) to providefresh water to the electrocoagulation unit (102) for removing solidparticles when the first inlet valve(107), the first outlet valve 116,the first drain valve (150) are in closed position. The fresh water ispumped from a fresh water tank to the electrocoagulation unit (102)using a fresh water feed pump. The air grid (122) provides air insidethe electrocoagulation unit (104) at predefined time interval to removethe solid particles between the plurality of electrodes (402) duringfresh water cleaning. The control unit opens the first drain valve (150)to drain the waste water inside the electrocoagulation unit (102) afterfresh water cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the electrocoagulation cleaning unit (148) includesan acid inlet valve (154) that is electrically controlled by the controlunit. For the acid wash, the control unit opens the acid inlet valve(154) to provide acid to remove all debris present in between theplurality of electrodes (402) of the electrocoagulation unit (102) whenthe first inlet valve (107), the first outlet valve (116), the firstdrain valve (150), the fresh water inlet valve (152) and an acid outletvalve (156) are in closed position. The acid is soaked inside theelectrocoagulation unit(102) for a predetermined time period to removethe debris and metal oxides present in between the plurality ofelectrodes (402) when the acid inlet valve (154) and the acid outletvalve (156) are in closed position. The electrocoagulation cleaning unit(148) includes an acid cleaning pump (158) that is electricallyconnected to the control unit. As shown in FIG. 5, the acid cleaningpump (158) automatically pumps cleaning chemicals from an EC chemicalstorage tank (160) to the electrocoagulation unit (102) through the acidinlet valve (154) at a predetermined time interval when the first inletvalve (107), the first outlet valve (116), the first drain valve (150),the fresh water inlet valve (152) and the acid outlet valve (156) are inclosed position.

The acid outlet valve (156) is electrically connected to the controlunit. The control unit automatically opens the acid outlet valve (156)to drain the acids after cleaning to the EC chemical storage tank (160)through a cleaning outlet (161) at a predetermined time interval whenthe acid inlet valve(154), the first inlet valve(107), the first outletvalve (116) and the first drain valve (150) are in closed position. Thecontrol unit automatically opens the fresh water inlet valve (152) againto provide the fresh water for subsequent fresh water cleaning of theelectrocoagulation unit (102) at a predetermined time interval when thefirst inlet valve(107), the first outlet valve(116), the first drainvalve(150), the acid inlet valve (154) and the acid outlet valve(156).The control unit opens the first drain valve (150) to drain acid fromthe electrocoagulation unit (102) to the collection tank 104 after apredetermined number of acid cleanings. In an embodiment, any of theabove mentioned valves may be a ball valve or butterfly valve controlledby a solenoid valve or an electric valve or a pneumatic actuator.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system view of the automated waste water recyclingsystem (100) comprising an ultrafiltration (UF) system (204) and a firstreverse osmosis (RO) (228) system according to an embodiment herein. TheUF system (204) filters the carbon or IRF filtered water using aplurality of first filters (206) to remove colloidal particles, viruses,or large molecules and outputs a UF treated water to a first reverseosmosis (RO) feed tank (208). The plurality of first filters may be amembrane filters or spiral wound sheet type membrane or hollow fibermembrane. The UF system (204) further includes an UF inlet valve (210),an UF drain valve (212) and an UF service outlet valve (214) that areelectrically controlled by the control unit. The automated systemfurther includes a UF feed pump (216) that is connected to the UF feedtank (202). The control unit controls the UF feed pump (216) to pump thecarbon or IRF filtered water from the UF feed tank (202) at a third flowrate when the UF inlet valve (210) is in open condition and the UF drainvalve (212) and the UF service outlet valve (214) is in closed position.The control unit gradually increases the third flow rate over a periodof time to increase a flow of the carbon or IRF filtered water to the UFsystem (204). The UF system (204) further includes a UF backwash feedvalve (218), a UF backwash inlet valve (220), and a UF bottom drainvalve (222) that are electrically controlled by the control unit. Thecontrol unit activates a UF backwash pump (224) to pump backwashed wastewater from a backwash tank (226) when the UF inlet valve (210), the UFdrain valve (212), the UF service outlet valve (214) and the UF bottomdrain valve (222) are in closed position and when the UF backwash feedvalve (218), the UF backwash inlet valve (220) are in open position. TheUF backwash feed valve (218), the UF backwash inlet valve (220), and theUF bottom drain valve (222) are closed after a predetermined timeperiod. The first RO system (228) that receives the UF treated waterfrom the first reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (208). The first RO system(228) filters the UF treated water using a plurality of second filters(230) to remove ions, molecules and larger particles and outputs a firstRO permeate water to a RO permeate/production tank and a first RO rejectwater to a second reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank. The plurality ofsecond filters may be a RO filter, spiral wound brackish water or seawater membranes, or low fouling RO membranes and circular discmembranes.

The first RO system (228) includes a first RO feed valve (232), a firstRO inlet valve (234) and an Oxidation Reduction potential (ORP) drainvalve (236) that are electrically controlled by the control unit. Thecontrol unit activates a first RO feed pump (238) to pump the UF treatedwater from the first reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (208) at a fourthflow rate through a third flow line (240) when the first RO feed valve(232) and the RO first inlet valve (234) are in open position and whenthe ORP drain valve (236) is in closed position. The automated systemincludes a first acid dosing pump (242) that is automatically activatedusing the control unit when a P^(H) of the UF treated water is notwithin a threshold range to provide required acid dosage to the UFtreated water in the third flow line (240). The automated systemincludes a first anti-oxidant dosing pump (244) to provide requiredanti-oxidant dosage to the UF treated water in the third flow line (240)and a first anti-scalant dosing pump (246) to provide requiredanti-scalant dosage to the UF treated water in the third flow line(240). The control unit gradually increases the fourth flow rate over aperiod of time.

The UF system (204) includes a UF cleaning unit. The UF cleaning unitincludes a UF chemical feed valve (256), a UF reject to drain valve(248), a UF flushing inlet valve (250) and a UF permeate to cleaningtank (CT) valve (254) that are electrically controlled by the controlunit. The control unit activates a UF backwash pump (224) to pumpcleaning chemicals such as organic and inorganic acids, alkalis andchlorine based cleaning chemicals from a UF chemical storage tank (225)through the UF chemical feed valve (256) and rinse acids at the UFsystem (204) for cleaning when the UF chemical feed valve (256), the UFreject to drain valve (248), the UF flushing inlet valve (250) and theUF permeate to CT valve (254) are in open position, a UF chemicalrecirculation valve (252) that is electrically controlled by the controlunit. The control unit activates the UF backwash pump (224) torecirculate acids to the UF system (204) for subsequent cleaning atpredefined intervals when the UF chemical recirculation valve, the UFchemical feed valve (256), the UF reject to drain valve (248), the UFflushing inlet valve (250) and the UF permeate to CT valve (254) are inopen position.

The first RO system (228) includes a first RO cleaning unit (229). Thefirst RO cleaning unit (229) includes a first RO cleaning inlet valve(280), a first RO permeate to cleaning tank valve (278), a first ROreject drain valve (270), a first RO reject valve (268) and a first ROcirculation valve (272) that are electrically controlled by the controlunit. The control unit activates a first RO cleaning pump (284) to flushcleaning chemicals such as organic and inorganic acids, alkalis andchlorine based cleaning chemicals into the first RO system (228) from afirst RO cleaning system (229) when the first RO cleaning inlet valve(280), the first RO permeate to cleaning tank valve (278) and the firstRO reject drain valve (270) are in open position and the first RO rejectvalve (268) is in closed position. When the first RO cleaning inletvalve (280), the first RO permeate to cleaning tank valve (278) and thefirst RO circulation valve (272) are in open position and when the firstRO reject valve (268) is closed position, the control unit activates thefirst RO cleaning pump (284) to recirculate the cleaning chemicals intothe first RO system (228) through the first RO circulation valve (272)for further cleaning. In an embodiment, any of the above mentionedvalves may be a solenoid valve or an electronic valve.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system view of the automated waste water recyclingsystem (100) comprising a second reverse osmosis (RO) system (306) and athird reverse osmosis (RO) system (330) according to an embodimentherein. The second RO system (306) that receives the first RO rejectwater from the second reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (304). The secondRO system (306) filters the first RO reject water using a plurality ofthird filters (308) to remove further ions, molecules and largerparticles and outputs a second RO permeate water to the evaporation tank(302) and a second RO reject water to a third reverse osmosis (RO) feedtank (310).

The second RO system (306) further includes a second RO feed valve(312), a second RO permeate valve (318) and a second RO reject valve(320) that are electrically controlled by the control unit. The controlunit activates a second RO feed pump (322) to pump the first RO rejectwater from the second reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (304) through afourth flow line (324) at a fifth flow rate when the second RO feedvalve (312), the second RO permeate valve (318) are in open position andthe second RO reject valve (320) is not in fully closed position. Thecontrol unit activates a second acid dosing pump (326) when a P^(H) ofthe first RO reject water is not within a threshold range, a secondanti-oxidant dosing pump and a second anti-scalant dosing pump (328) toprovide required acid dosage, anti-oxidant dosage and anti-scalantdosage respectively to the first RO reject water in the fourth flow line(324). The control unit gradually increases the fifth flow rate over aperiod of time. The second RO feed valve (312), and the second ROpermeate valve (318) are closed and the second RO reject valve (320) isopened after a predefined time period.

The third RO system (330) receives the second RO reject water from thethird reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (310). The third RO system (330)filters the second RO reject water using a plurality of fifth filters(332) to remove further ions, molecules and larger particles and outputsa third RO permeate water to the RO permeate/production tank (354) and athird RO reject water to an evaporation tank (302). The third RO system(330) further includes a third RO feed valve (334), a third RO permeatevalve (340) and a third RO reject valve (342) that are electricallycontrolled by the control unit. The control unit activates a third ROfeed pump (344) to pump the second RO reject water from the thirdreverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (310) through a fifth flow line (346) ata sixth flow rate when the third RO feed valve (334), the third ROpermeate valve (340) are in open position and the third RO reject valve(342) is in closed position. The control unit activates a third aciddosing pump (348) when a P^(H) of the second RO reject water is notwithin a threshold range, a third anti-oxidant dosing pump, and a thirdanti-scalant dosing pump (350) to provide required acid dosage, andanti-oxidant dosage and anti-scalant dosage respectively to the secondRO reject water in the fifth flow line (346). The control unit graduallyincreases the sixth flow rate over a period of time. The third RO feedvalve (334), and the third RO permeate valve (340) are closed and thethird RO reject valve (342) is opened after a predefined time period. Inan embodiment, the automated system includes a fourth RO system forsubsequent purification/purification of a third RO reject water. Theautomated system further comprises a fourth RO system that receives thethird RO reject water from the fourth reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank.The fourth RO system filters the third RO reject water using a pluralityof sixth filters to remove further ions, molecules and larger particlesand outputs a fourth RO permeate water to the RO permeate/productiontank (354) and a fourth RO reject water to multiple effect evaporatorsystem.

The fourth RO system comprises a fourth RO feed valve, a fourth RO inletvalve, a fourth RO permeate valve and a fourth reject valve that areelectrically controlled by the control unit, wherein the control unitactivates a fourth RO feed pump to pump the third RO reject water fromthe fourth reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank through a sixth flow line at aseventh flow rate when the fourth RO feed valve, the fourth RO inletvalve, the fourth RO permeate valve are in open position and the fourthreject valve is in closed position, wherein the control unit activates afourth acid dosing pump when a P^(H) of the third RO reject water is notwithin a threshold range, a fourth anti-oxidant dosing pump, and afourth anti-scalant dosing pump to provide required acid dosage, andanti-oxidant dosage and anti-scalant dosage respectively to the third ROreject water in the sixth flow line, wherein the control unit graduallyincreases the seventh flow rate over a period of time, wherein thefourth RO feed valve, the fourth RO inlet valve and the fourth ROpermeate valve are closed and the fourth reject valve is opened after apredefined time period.

The automated system comprises an evaporator that receives a rejectslurry of the multiple effect evaporator system of third RO system (330)or fourth RO system and further evaporated and outputs evaporatorcondensate to the production tank (354) and evaporator reject water toan agitated thin film drier. The agitated thin film drier converts theevaporator reject water to solids. The second RO system (306) includes asecond RO cleaning unit (354) that further includes a second RO cleaninginlet valve (356), a second RO permeate to cleaning tank valve (358), asecond RO reject drain valve (360), wherein the second RO reject valve(320) and a second RO circulation valve (364) that are electricallycontrolled by the control unit. The control unit activates a second ROcleaning pump (366) to flush cleaning chemicals into the second ROsystem (306) from the second RO cleaning system (354) when the second ROcleaning inlet valve (356), the second RO permeate to cleaning tankvalve (358) and the second RO reject drain valve (360) are in openposition. When the second RO cleaning inlet valve (356), the second ROpermeate to cleaning tank valve (358) and the second RO circulationvalve (364) are in opened and when the second RO reject valve (320) isclosed position, the control unit activates the second RO cleaning pump(366) to recirculate cleaning chemicals into the second RO system (306)through the second RO circulation valve (364) for further cleaning. Inan embodiment, any of the above mentioned valves may be a ball valve ora butterfly valve controlled by a solenoid valve or any electronic valveor a pneumatic actuator.

The third RO system (330) includes a third RO cleaning unit thatincludes a third RO cleaning inlet valve (368), a third RO permeate tocleaning tank valve (370), a third RO reject drain valve (372), saidthird RO reject valve (342) and a third RO circulation valve (374) thatare electrically controlled by the control unit. The control unitactivates a third RO cleaning pump (376) to flush cleaning chemicalsinto the third RO system (330) from the second RO cleaning system (354)when the third RO cleaning inlet valve (368), the third RO permeate tocleaning tank valve (370) and the third RO reject drain valve (372) arein open position. When the third RO cleaning inlet valve (368), thethird RO permeate to cleaning tank valve (370) and the third ROcirculation valve (374) are in opened and when the third RO reject valve(342) is closed position, the control unit activates the third ROcleaning pump (376) to recirculate cleaning chemicals into the third ROsystem through the third RO circulation valve (374) for furthercleaning.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate perspective views of the electrocoagulation unit(102) of the FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. Theelectrocoagulation unit (102) includes a hoist (420), a liftingarrangement (404), a plurality of holders (406) and a plurality ofelectrodes (402). The hoist (420) controls the lifting arrangement (404)to place the plurality of electrodes (402) inside the electrocoagulationunit (102). The lifting arrangement (404) is coupled to the plurality ofholders (406) for lifting the plurality of electrodes (402). Theplurality of holders (406) tightly holds the plurality of electrodes(402) and the lifting arrangement (404) further allows the plurality ofelectrodes (402) to rest substantially within the electrocoagulationunit (102).

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates a process of treating waste water using theautomated waste water recycling system (100) of FIG. 1 according to anembodiment herein. At step S502, an industrial process is performed in aprocess house. At step S504, the collection/equalization tank (104)collects the waste water from the process house for filtering. At stepS506, the air blower (105) agitates the waste water inside thecollection tank (104) at predefined intervals. At step S508, a P^(H)sensor (110) is automatically activated to measure a P^(H) of the wastewater when the electrocoagulation feed pump (108) is activated. TheP^(H) sensor (110) is placed in the first flow line (106) and thecontrol unit automatically activates the first dosing pump (112) to pumpacid or alkali from a P^(H) correction tank (114) to maintain the P^(H)of the waste water within a threshold range of 6 to 8 when the measuredP^(H) of the waste water is not within the threshold range.

At step S510, the electrocoagulation (EC) unit (102) is connected to thecollection tank (104) through a first flow line (106) for receivingwaste water. The control unit activates the electrocoagulation feed pump(108) to pump said waste water through the first flow line (106) fromthe collection tank (104) to the electrocoagulation unit (102) at afirst flow rate. At step S512, the polymer dosing pump (124) isconnected to the polymer dosing tank (126). The control unit isconfigured to activate the polymer dosing pump (124) to provide polymerdosage. At step S514, the clarifier (120) receives the flocculated wastewater. The clarifier (120) removes the flocculated solids either bysedimentation or floatation from the flocculated waste water and outputssludge free waste water to the filter feed tank (128). At step S516, thecontrol unit activates the sludge feed pump (135) to pump concentratedsludge to the first filter press (136) when the first solenoid valve(132) is in open position and the second solenoid valve (134) is inclosed position or to the second filter press (138) when the firstsolenoid valve (132) is in closed position and the second solenoid valve(134) is in open position, for filtering water from the concentratedsludge. At step S518, the first filter press and the second filter pressremove the sludge from the concentrated sludge and treated water out tothe filter feed tank (128). At step S520, the filter feed pump (146)pumps the sludge free waste water from the filter feed tank (128) to thepressure sand filter (142) and the activated carbon filter and/or ironremoval filter (144). At step S522, the pressure sand filter (142) andthe activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter (CIRF) (144)receive the sludge free waste water. The pressure sand filter (142) andthe activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter (144) filtersuspended solids and colloidal from the sludge free waste water andoutputs (i) a carbon or IRF filtered water to an ultrafiltration (UF)feed tank (202) and (ii) a backwashed waste water to the collection tank(104). At step S523, the control unit, at user-defined interval(s),activates the pressure sand filter backwash pump (1422) to pumpsand-filtered water in a reverse direction to backwash the pressure sandfilter such that the sand-filtered water travels from the bottom of thepressure sand filter towards the top of the pressure sand filter inorder to dislodge and remove solid matter from pressure sand filter.This backwash of the pressure sand filter not only prolongs thelongevity of the pressure sand filter but also allows the pressure sandfilter to operate at a higher efficiency. At step S524, the UF feed pump(216) pumps the carbon or IRF filtered water from the UF feed tank (202)to the UF system (204).

At step S526, the UF system (204) filters the carbon or IRF filteredwater using the plurality of first filters (206) to remove colloidalparticles, viruses, or large molecules and outputs a UF treated water tothe first reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (208). At step S528, the firstRO system (228) receives the UF treated water from the first reverseosmosis (RO) feed tank (208). At step S530, the first RO system (228)filters the UF treated water using a plurality of second filters (230)to remove ions, molecules and larger particles and outputs a first ROpermeate water to the RO permeate / production tank (354) and a first ROreject water to the second reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (304). At stepS532, the second RO system (306) receives the first RO reject water fromthe second reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (304). At step S534, thesecond RO system (306) filters the first RO reject water using aplurality of third filters (308) to remove further ions, molecules andlarger particles and outputs a second RO permeate water to the ROpermeate tank or production tank (354) and a second RO reject water tothe third reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (310). At step S536, the thirdRO system (330) receives the second RO reject water from the thirdreverse osmosis (RO) feed tank (310). At step S538, the third RO system(330) filters the second RO reject water using a plurality of fifthfilters (332) to remove further ions, molecules and larger particles andoutputs a third RO permeate water to the RO permeate tank or productiontank (354) and a third RO reject water to an evaporation tank (302). Atstep S540, the evaporation tank collects the final stage RO reject(Third RO or Fourth RO) water. At step S542, the evaporator (352)receives the third RO reject water or fourth RO reject water from theevaporation tank (302). The evaporator (352) that receives a reject ofthird RO system (330) or fourth RO system and further evaporated thirdRO reject water or fourth RO reject water to recover condensate water asreusable water in a RO permeate / production tank(354). At step S544,the agitated thin film drier converts the evaporator reject slurry tosolids. At step S546, the dried solids are outputted from the automatedwaste water recycling system.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference todifferent embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operationmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated waste water treatment systemcomprising: a collection tank constructed to hold waste water; a firstflow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste waterfrom the collection tank; an electrocoagulation unit connected to thefirst flow line to receive the waste water and to output the waste wateras coagulated waste water into a second flow line; a polymer dosage tankto provide a polymer dosage into the second flow line wherein thepolymer dosage mixes with the coagulated waste water to produce andoutput flocculated waste water; a clarifier connected to the second flowline to receive the flocculated waste water and to produce sludge-freewaste water and concentrated sludge; a filter feed tank to receive thesludge-free water from the clarifier; a filter press to produce treatedwater from the concentrated sludge; a pressure sand filter constructedto receive the sludge-free waste water and the treated water and outputsto a activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter (CIRF); and anultrafiltration system that receives CIRF-filtered water and outputsultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system, wherein afirst inlet valve regulates the waste water flowing into theelectrocoagulation unit, and wherein the electrocoagulation unitincludes: a nonconductive outer shell having an interior space; acontrol unit electrically connected to the electrocoagulation unit; anelectrocoagulation feed line connected to the first flow line, theelectrocoagulation feed line including a plurality of electrocoagulationfeed pipes connected to a bottom surface of the nonconductive outershell to feed the waste water received from the first flow line into alower portion of the interior space; an air grid controlled by thecontrol unit; and an electrode assembly placed substantially within thenonconductive outer shell, the electrode assembly including a pluralityof electrodes exposed to an upward flow of the waste water from thelower portion of the interior space, a plurality of holders to hold theplurality of electrodes, and an electrode lifting arrangement on a topedge of each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality ofelectrocoagulation feed pipes are spaced with respect to each other toallow the waste water to enter the lower portion of the interior spaceof the electrocoagulation unit evenly, and wherein the air grid purgeswaste material from the plurality of electrodes.
 2. The automated wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein the control unit isconfigured to: regulate activation and speed of an electrocoagulationfeed pump that pumps the waste water into the first flow line from thecollection tank, automate activation of a pH sensor to measure a pH ofthe waste water upon activation of the electrocoagulation feed pump,automate activation of a first dosing pump to pump acid or alkali from apH correction tank such that the pH of the waste water is maintainedwithin a threshold range between 6 to 9, and regulate acid cleaning ofthe plurality of electrodes wherein an electrocoagulation chemicalstorage tank provides acid to the electrocoagulation unit at apredetermined time interval to acid wash the plurality of electrodes. 3.The automated waste water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the airgrid comprises: a plurality of internal air inlet pipe lines connectedto an external air inlet pipe line via a plurality of air grid inletholes constructed on the nonconductive outer shell; and a plurality ofair inlet holes constructed on each of the plurality of internal airinlet pipe lines to permit air bubbles to be introduced into theelectrocoagulation unit, wherein the plurality of internal air inletpipe lines substantially traverse the lower portion of an interior spacewithin the nonconductive outer shell such that the plurality of internalair inlet pipe lines run underneath the electrode assembly, wherein theexternal air inlet pipe line substantially located outside of thenonconductive outer shell, and wherein an air control valve isconstructed to regulate input of air into the external air inlet pipewherein the control unit is configured to control the air control valve.4. The automated waste water treatment system of claim 3, wherein theplurality of internal air inlet pipe lines are substantially parallel toeach other.
 5. The automated waste water treatment system of claim 3,wherein the plurality of internal air inlet pipe lines are substantiallystraight and may bisect each other.
 6. The automated waste watertreatment system of claim 3, wherein the electrocoagulation unit furthercomprises: a top rim constructed at a topmost boundary of thenonconductive outer shell; and a partition wall constructed in theinterior space of the nonconductive outer shell such that the partitionwall divides an electrode chamber and an outlet chamber; the second flowline having a first end connected to a bottom of the outlet chamber anda second end connected to a clarifier; and a first outlet valve thatoutputs the coagulated waste water from the receiving tray to the firstend of the second flow line, wherein the partition wall includes a topedge constructed at a height below the top rim, wherein the electrodeassembly is received substantially within the electrode chamber andwherein the electrode lifting arrangement rests atop the top edge of thepartition wall, and wherein the coagulated waste water passively spillsover the top edge of the partition wall from the electrode chamber tothe outlet chamber.
 7. The automated waste water treatment system ofclaim 6, the automated waste water treatment system further comprising:a polymer dosing tank that stores the polymer dosage; and a polymerdosing pump constructed to pump the polymer dosage from the polymerdosing tank to the second flow line such that the polymer dosage mixeswith the coagulated waste water to produce the flocculated waste water.8. The automated waste water treatment system of claim 7, wherein thesecond flow line feeds the flocculated waste water into the clarifier,and wherein the clarifier comprises: a clarifier inlet valve constructedto connect the second flow line to the clarifier; a plurality ofclarifier filters within the clarifier wherein the plurality ofclarifier filters are constructed to remove sludge from the flocculatedwaste water to output the sludge-free waste water; a clarifier outletconstructed to output the sludge-free waste water from the clarifier;and a sludge outlet valve regulated by the control unit to output theconcentrated sludge from the clarifier, wherein the clarifier inletvalve is regulated by the control unit such that the control unit opensthe clarifier inlet valve to receive the flocculated waste water bygravity when the sludge outlet valve is closed.
 9. The automated wastewater treatment system of claim 8, the automated waste water treatmentsystem further comprising: a sludge feed pump regulated by the controlunit wherein the sludge feed pump pumps the concentrated sludge from theclarifier through the sludge outlet valve when the sludge outlet valveis opened, wherein the filter press includes a first filter press and asecond filter press, wherein the first filter press is constructed toproduce the treated water from the concentrated sludge, and wherein thesecond filter press is constructed to produce the treated water from theconcentrated sludge.
 10. The automated waste water treatment system ofclaim 9, wherein the first filter press and the second filter pressrecirculate water from the concentrated sludge for further filterpressing and outputs the water as the treated water to the filter feedtank.
 11. The automated waste water treatment system of claim 10,wherein the clarifier further comprises: a first solenoid valveregulated by the control unit; and a second solenoid valve regulated bythe control unit, wherein the first filter press receives theconcentrated sludge from the clarifier when the control unit activatesthe sludge feed pump, opens the sludge outlet valve, and opens the firstsolenoid valve, wherein the second filter press receives theconcentrated sludge from the clarifier when the control unit activatesthe sludge feed pump, opens the sludge outlet valve, and opens thesecond solenoid valve, and wherein, from the concentrated sludge, eachof the first filter press and the second filter press outputs thetreated water to the filter feed tank and outputs the concentratedsludge to a rejection tank.
 12. The automated waste water treatmentsystem of claim 11, the automated waste water treatment system furthercomprising: a filter feed pump regulated by the control unit wherein thefilter feed pump is connected to the filter feed tank to pump thesludge-free waste water from the filter feed tank to the pressure sandfilter; the pressure sand filter constructed to receive the sludge-freewaste water and the treated water from the filter feed tank and tooutput sand-filtered water; and the CIRF constructed to receivesand-filtered water from the pressure sand filter and to outputCIRF-filtered water to a ultrafiltration feed tank and output backwashedwaste water to the collection tank for further electrocoagulation andfiltering, and wherein the pressure sand filter comprises: a pressuresand filter-backwash pump controlled by the control unit to pump thesand-filtered water from a lower region of the pressure sand filter toan upper region of the pressure sand filter to purge obstructivematerial from the pressure sand filter.
 13. The automated waste watertreatment system of claim 12, wherein the automated waste watertreatment system further comprises: the ultrafiltration system thatreceives the CIRF-filtered water using a plurality of first filters toremove colloidal particles, viruses, or large molecules and outputs theultrafiltration-treated water to a first reverse osmosis feed tank; andthe reverse osmosis system that receives the ultrafiltration-treatedwater from the ultrafiltration system outputs reverse osmosis-treatedwater, the reverse osmosis system comprising: the first osmosis feedtank that receives the ultrafiltration-treated water and outputs reverseosmosis-treated water; and a second reverse osmosis feed tank to receivereverse osmosis-treated water for further filtration of the reverseosmosis-treated water by reverse osmosis.
 14. The automated waste watertreatment system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is furtherconfigured to regulate the control valve to permit air to pass throughthe plurality of air inlet holes at a predetermined interval of time.15. The automated waste water treatment system of claim 1, wherein thelifting arrangements are detachably attached to a hoist such that thehoist can be raised the plurality of electrodes for maintenance.
 16. Anelectrocoagulation unit for use in an automated waste water treatmentsystem, wherein the automated waste water treatment system includes acontrol unit, a collection tank that holds waste water, a first flowline connected to the collection tank and to the electrocoagulationunit, a clarifier, a polymer dosage tank, a filter feed tank, a pressuresand filter (PSF), an activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter(CIRF), an ultrafiltration (UF) system, and a reverse osmosis (RO)system, the electrocoagulation unit comprising: a nonconductive outershell having an interior space; an electrocoagulation feed lineconnected to the first flow line, the electrocoagulation feed lineincluding a plurality of electrocoagulation feed pipes connected to abottom surface of the nonconductive outer shell to feed the waste waterreceived from the first flow line into a lower portion of the interiorspace; an air grid controlled by the control unit; and an electrodeassembly placed substantially within the nonconductive outer shell,wherein the electrocoagulation unit is connected to the first flow lineto receive the waste water and to output the waste water as coagulatedwaste water, wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality ofelectrodes exposed to an upward flow of the waste water, a plurality ofholders constructed to hold the plurality of electrodes, and anelectrode lifting arrangement placed on a top edge of each of theplurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises aplurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes, and wherein the airgrid purges waste material from the plurality of electrodes to extendthe plurality of electrodes' working lifespan and to ensure that activeelectrocoagulation on the electrode assembly remains efficient.
 17. Theelectrocoagulation unit of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality ofelectrodes can be raised by a hoist, the hoist constructed to detachablyattach to the electrode lifting arrangement, for maintenance of theplurality of electrodes.
 18. The electrocoagulation unit of claim 16,wherein each of the plurality of electrocoagulation feed pipes is spacedsubstantially equidistant from each other.
 19. The electrocoagulationunit of claim 16, further comprising: a partition wall constructed inthe interior space of the nonconductive outer shell such that thepartition wall divides an electrode chamber and an outlet chamber; asecond flow line having a first end connected to a bottom of the outletchamber and a second end connected to a clarifier; and a First outletvalve that outputs the coagulated waste water from the receiving tray tothe first end of the second flow line, wherein the partition wallincludes a top edge constructed at a height below the top rim, whereinthe electrode assembly is received within the electrode chamber andwherein the plurality of holders are placed atop the top edge of thepartition wall, and wherein the coagulated waste water passively spillsover the top edge of the partition wall from the electrode chamber tothe outlet chamber.
 20. A pressure sand filter for filtering sludge-freewaste water to produce sand-filtered water for an automated waste watertreatment system, wherein the automated waste water treatment systemincludes a control unit, a collection tank that holds waste water, afirst flow line connected to the collection tank and to anelectrocoagulation unit, a clarifier, a polymer dosage tank, a filterfeed tank, an activated carbon filter and/or iron removal filter (CIRF),an ultrafiltration system, and a reverse osmosis (RO) system, thepressure sand filter comprising: an external shell having an internalregion constructed to hold sand of varying grain size; a receivingadapter constructed on an upper region of the external shell such thatthe receiving adapter connects the third flow line to the pressure sandfilter; and a pressure sand filter-backwash pump configured to backwashsand filtered water from a lower internal region of the external shellto an upper internal region of the external shell to purge obstructivematerial from the pressure sand filter, wherein the sand is biased froma large grain size at the upper internal region of the external shell toa lower grain size towards the lower internal region of the externalshell.